On the Borderline
Alison Krauss (And Union Station) · Too Late To Cry [Rounder] [1987]
There's a chill on this evening nights right for greaving
Darkness surrounds him as he wanders alone
He walked past the dim lights the pathways and street lights
They remind him of nights long ago.
When his love was strong
And his muscles hard
His whiskey throat
Was barley marred.
Seeking the misfortune in the lies that he told
Then a broken heart bought him to his knees
In the hour of his greatest need
Lost and forsaken by the love he could not hold.
On the borderline of love again
It's bound to make you pay
On the borderline we'll make our stand
Then watch it fall away.
--- Banjo Instrumental ---
And he stands in quiet solitude the nights reflects upon his mood
Seeking the vision that had once been so clear
When he felt the touch of his women's love
His pounding heart was warm and young.
Now locked inside him with his anger and fear
As he moves on slowly past the trees
Down the path way
Home through fallen leaves.
He can't believe how he'd sunken so low
So he learned to live with his injured pride
His purple heart hidden deep inside
The only reward for a love he could not hold.
On the borderline of love again
It's bound to make you pay
On the borderline we'll make our stand
Then watch it fall away.
--- Fiddle Instrumental ---
On the borderline of love again
It's bound to make you pay
On the borderline we'll make our stand
Then watch it fall away...
On the Borderline
Alison Krauss and Union Station's 'On the Borderline' stands as a defining track from their 1987 debut album, Too Late to Cry. Released during the height of the bluegrass revival, the song showcases Krauss's signature pedal steel work and the band's signature blend of traditional Appalachian folk with modern rock energy. The recording captures the group's early ability to harmonize complex arrangements while maintaining the raw emotional core of their roots. As a staple of their discography, the track exemplifies the band's commitment to authentic instrumentation and storytelling, influencing countless subsequent artists in the Americana and roots-rock genres. It remains a critical listen for those exploring the evolution of bluegrass from the late 1980s into the new millennium.